The Brown Derby, 1974

In August 1974, The Dispatch announced the opening of the first Brown Derby restaurant in the Columbus area, at 1321 Morse Rd. (west of Karl).

It was the 35th of the rapidly growing $40 million chain of restaurants.

"Complete exterior and interior renovation of the building site, formerly occupied by the Betty Crocker Tree House, has been accomplished over the past six months," we reported. "Prize-winning Columbus restaurant designer Coburn Morgan was in charge of remodeling. Total investment in property acquisition and building expansion and remodeling was approximately $2 million, according to Parris Girves, president of Brown Derby, Inc."

The restaurant seated approximately 500 people. (Wow! Can you imagine the opening of such a big eatery around here today?)

KEN CHAMBERLAIN / COLUMBUS DISPATCH

In August 1974, The Dispatch announced the opening of the first Brown Derby restaurant in the Columbus area, at 1321 Morse Rd. (west of Karl).

It was the 35th of the rapidly growing $40 million chain of restaurants.

“Complete exterior and interior renovation of the building site, formerly occupied by the Betty Crocker Tree House, has been accomplished over the past six months,” we reported. “Prize-winning Columbus restaurant designer Coburn Morgan was in charge of remodeling. Total investment in property acquisition and building expansion and remodeling was approximately $2 million, according to Parris Girves, president of Brown Derby, Inc."

The restaurant seated approximately 500 people. (Wow! Can you imagine the opening of such a big eatery around here today?)

In 1993, the Dispatch's Grumpy Gourmet wrote that one of the best beef luncheons in town, in terms of value, could be had at the Brown Derby. "For $3.99, you get a cut of sirloin, about 5 to 6 ounces grilled to your specs, a decent baked potato and a deep bowl of salad. The meat is tender without the use of tenderizer; the salad as crisp and fresh as any other in town. It is a mix of iceberg, red cabbage, one cherry tomato, a thick slice of cucumber, chopped cheddar, and excellent blue-cheese dressing."